construction workers' accidents Archives

Construction workers in Pennsylvania can be at risk of serious injuries or even death each day on the job. Unfortunately, this fact was underlined by an Aug. 29 incident in which two construction workers lost their lives. The two men were part of the team building the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort, a prominent project with 516 hotel rooms that is under construction. Scaffolding at the build site collapsed, taking the lives of the two men.

Construction site owners in Pennsylvania probably know how dangerous is the industry they work in. Of the 4,693 worker fatalities that occurred in 2016, 991 were in construction. OSHA has determined four major safety hazards accounting for nearly two-thirds of all construction fatalities and dubbed them the "Fatal Four." They are falls, electrocutions, being struck by objects and getting caught in machinery and other structures.

Construction workers in Pennsylvania are part of an industry that has a reputation for workplace accidents, including those that can cause catastrophic or even fatal injuries. Despite technological advances, construction sites continue to be dangerous places to work. The Center for Construction Research and Training reported that between 2011 and 2015, fatal injuries related to construction work rose by 26 percent. Furthermore, fatalities related to workplace injuries when construction workers were caught in or between objects rose by 33 percent during that period. Older and younger workers were most likely to face a fatal outcome from such incidents.

Construction workers in Pennsylvania are probably aware that they work in one of the most dangerous industries. In 2015, for instance, the U.S. saw 937 fatalities in the private construction industry. With 5.6 million employees in the field, it can be alarming to know that 1 out of every 10 is injured on site annually. This is why many employers are looking to the latest safety equipment in the effort to prevent accidents.

New technologies could potentially help create a path to safer workplaces for Pennsylvania construction workers. The construction industry can be one of the most dangerous globally. From machinery accidents to falls from heights, there are a number of risks that construction workers face every day on the job.

A busy construction site in Pennsylvania could have trucks moving near workers on foot. Whenever people and heavy equipment mix, the risk of a backover accident could be high. In 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 70 people died on the job when they were hit or crushed by moving vehicles. Employers have several strategies to draw upon to reduce these workplace hazards.

Failing to operate a bulldozer safely could get a worker in Pennsylvania hurt or possibly killed. It is important that the individual who is operating this powerful machine is qualified to do so. It is also critical that the driver is the only person in the bulldozer while it is in use. While it is being refueled, a bulldozer's engine should be turned off.

One of the most hazardous occupations is construction work. From dangers associated with electrocution and heavy machinery to chemical spills and repetitive motion injuries, Pennsylvania construction workers are exposed to a range of potential threats. Therefore, construction industry employers are required to abide by inspection procedures, regulations and safety programs to prevent work-related accidents from occurring.

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The Law Office Of Deborah M. Truscello represents clients in Delaware County, Chester County, Montgomery County and Bucks County, including the cities of Media, Broomall, Lima, Springfield, Wayne, Philadelphia, West Chester, Norristown, Upper Darby, Kennett Square, Chester and Ambler, Pennsylvania.